Glomera pteropetala (Schltr.) J.J.Sm., Bot. Jahrb. Syst. 66 (1934) 171
Basionym: Glossorhyncha pteropetala
Almost shrub-like epiphyte, pendent, more than 50 cm long, branched, apparently flaccid. Stems and branches slightly compressed, many-leaved, entirely covered with very tightly clasping, shiny, striate, towards the apex sparsely finely warty leaf-sheaths with several flexuose apical cilia, the sheaths much shorter than the leaves. Leaves erect-patent, linear, 3.5-6 by 0.25-0.35 cm, gradually somewhat narrowed towards the apex, rather obtuse, base narrowed, oblique. Spathe elliptic-cucullate, apiculate, glabrous. Flowers single, glabrous. Sepals oblong, 1 cm long, subacute, lateral sepals cohering, subfalcate-oblique. Petals broadly elliptic-obovate, spathulate, 1.1 by 0.8 cm, wing-like, broadly obtuse, longer than the sepals. Lip blade very broadly elliptic, 0.5 cm long, shortly acuminate, less than half as long as the sepals, more than twice as long as the column, spur conical, c. 0.3 cm long. Column short, clinandrium dorsally triangular-semiorbicular, unequally denticulate. Ovary sessile, cylindrical, 0.6 cm long, glabrous. (After Schlechter, 1922, as Glossorhyncha pteropetala Schltr.).
Colours: Flower pure white, lip apex with a grey-green patch of papillae.
Habitat: Epiphyte in upper montane forest. Altitude 2070 m.
Flowering time in the wild: May.
Distribution: Malesia (New Guinea, endemic).
Distribution in New Guinea: Papua New Guinea. See map: 322-108M.JPG
Cultivation: Cool growing epiphyte.